Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies took a Waukegan resident into custody Tueseday night, March 11, 2025, who fled from a traffic stop. Custody of the suspect was achieved with the assistance of a Gurnee Police Department K9 Team and Libertyville Police Drone Operator.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy was conducting speed enforcement on Route 41 near Wadsworth Road in Wadsworth, when he observed a red Chevrolet sedan traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver quickly pulled into a gas station at Route 41 and Wadsworth Road. When the deputy pulled behind the vehicle, the driver fled, speeding northbound in the southbound lanes of Route 41.
The deputy briefly lost sight of the fleeing vehicle but soon located it abandoned near Kelly Road and Mill Creek Road, close to Wadsworth. A short time later, a 911 caller reported seeing two people running westbound across the tollway. A Gurnee Police K9 Team and a Libertyville Police Drone Operator were requested to assist.
Using the drone, the Libertyville Police Drone Operator located the two individuals hiding in a tree line west of the tollway. The drone operator guided the Gurnee Police K9 Team and Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies to their location, where both individuals were taken into custody.
The driver, Shelmar K. Mays, Jr., 28, of the 4100 block of Continental Drive, Waukegan, was found in possession of multiple baggies of cannabis, as well as numerous credit cards belonging to other people.
Mays’ vehicle was seized, and deputies intend to apply for a search warrant to search for additional evidence. His passenger, a 22-year-old woman, was released pending further investigation.
After reviewing the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges against Mays:
Unlawful Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver
Obstructing Justice
Driving While License Revoked
Fleeing to Elude
Reckless Driving
Numerous Traffic Violations
Mays is scheduled to appear in First Appearance Court this morning.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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